The Season's Best Nerf Gun Revealed

By Shane Craver on November 29, 2010

Just in time for the holiday gift rush, Nerf – formerly known for footballs and the occasional oddity (Nerf Fencer anyone?) – released its latest, greatest Nerf Blaster that has boys around the world pining like Ralphie wanting his Red Ryder BB Gun.

After significant testing including countless headshots and a few darts in the eye. Our team of testers (ranging from 6 to 12 years old) voted and chose 2010’s best Nerf Gun.

But before we get to the winner, let’s review the contestants:

Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS – This is the “holiday release” just in time for Christmas. The battery-powered, fully-automatic blaster comes with 60 dart clips (Nerf’s largest), a blast shield and a pop-out bi-pod. Basically it has enough cool features that will wow kids enough to drive their parents nuts up until Christmas.

But . . . will they play with it?

We say no. First, it requires 6 D-cell batteries. Try lugging that weight around for a morning of play. Combine the weight with the shorter ranger and a high rate of fire you’ll quickly run into a situation in which boys (and girls with a killer instinct) will spend more time reloading and unjamming than actual play time.

At $50, it’s a definite don’t buy this year.

Nerf N-Strike Vulcan EBF-25 – Yes, the thought of going Rambo and firing off the hip is appealing to anyone – young and old. But we’re talking a plastic Nerf dart gun here and not an M-60. The fully-automatic, belt-fed, “blast cannon” was the hot buy last Christmas – and probably the top frustration among fathers the day after Christmas.

Nerf should have named the Vulcan the Buzzard because if you use it, you’re little tyke will be virtual buzzard meat on the dart playground.

Obvious mobility issues aside, the Vulcan jams if you hold your tongue wrong – and when those frequent jams occur, you’ll be biting your tongue to keep the profanities from flying. In short, the Vulcan is an utter piece of crap.

Children would have more fun beating each other with sticks or using erasers for chewing gum.

If you buy the Vulcan, you are sick – if you’ve already bought it, welcome to the sucker club (good to have you).

Nerf N-Strike Recon CS-6 – Runner-up for best all around blaster. The Recon goes from compact to full assault rifle with ease. The removable (but not adjustable) stock is nice but when paired with the removable barrel, it makes for a versatile blaster. The range is good and the action on the top cocking mechanism is smooth. This was a go-to pick by our gaggle of testers when the favorite was in use.

At $20, it’s a good value. Because the stock does not adjust, it’s not a good pick for the little tykes but is a recommended buy if you have multiple, older kids to arm.

THE WINNER: Nerf N-Strike Raider CS-35 – Hands down, the Raider was the pick of the litter among the latest and greatest Nerf Blasters. The drum fed (or magazine), pump-action blaster dominated the field of play and maintained good accuracy, long range, and nearly jam-free operation.

With an adjustable stock, the Raider fit all shapes and sizes and wasn’t too heavy or unwieldy for the smallest of our soldiers.

At $30, its pump-action means the shooter’s hands don’t change position during cocking and it also allows for more deliberately aimed shots (in comparison to the automatic blasters) and with 35 darts in the drum, shooters can make it through an entire round without reloading (unless they get trigger happy).

In two full days of play and more than 1,000 rounds fired, we had the gun jam once – because someone (we won’t say who) loaded in a Vulcan dart which jammed the drum.

In addition to the above, there are a dozen or more other blasters that maintain a good deal of interest – notably the Longshot CS-6. But among the newest blasters, the Raider is this holiday’s must buy.

And moms, don’t worry, he won’t put his eye out.